in Herefordshire
and elsewhere; and thus the Percys will gain two powerful allies,
Glendower and Mortimer; and as they advance from the north, the Welsh
and Mortimer will join them from the west. When victory is gained,
there will be peace on the Welsh marches. Owen will be recognized for
what he is, the King of Wales; and doubtless he will then suffer the
English to live quietly there, just as the Welsh have lived quietly in
England.

"Then, too, all the western counties will see that it is their interest
to side with Mortimer and Glendower. Four times, during the last three
years, have they been called out, and forced to leave their homes to
follow the king into Wales; and as often have had to return, leaving
behind them many of their number. They will see that, if Glendower is
acknowledged King of Wales, this hard and grievous service will no
longer be required of them."

"That is so, Sir Oswald, and in truth I like the project well. It
matters not a straw to me who is king; but if a king treats my lords
scurvily, I am ready to shout 'Down with him!' and to do my best to put
another up in his place; though, indeed, 'tis a salve to my conscience
to know that the man I am fighting against is a usurper, and one who
has set himself up in the place of the lawful king."

"My conscience in no way pricks me, Roger. I fight at my lord's order,
against his foes. That is the duty I have sworn to. As between him and
the king, 'tis a matter for him alone. At the same time, I am glad that
the business is likely to end in the rescue of a knight who has been
very kind to me. Between Henry and the young Earl of March I have no
opinion; but it seems to me that, since Henry ascended to the throne by
might, and by the popular voice, he has no cause to complain, if he is
put out of it by the same means."

"But, should the war go against the Percys, master?"

"That, again, is a matter for the earl and Hotspur. They know what
force they and the Earl of Westmoreland can put in the field. They know
that Glendower can aid with ten thousand Welshmen, and that Mortimer
can raise three or four thousand men from his vassals. They should know
what help they can count on from Scotland; and doubtless, during the
last six months, have made themselves acquainted with the general
feeling respecting the king. It is upon them that the risk chiefly
falls. We knights and men-at-arms may fall in the field of battle; but
that is a risk that we know we